Britannia Pharmaceuticals’ apomorphine shows promise in Phase 3 TOLEDO trial for Parkinson’s disease

Britannia Pharmaceuticals, a subsidiary of the British pharma group, has announced successful Phase 3 results for its APO-go/MOVAPO (apomorphine) subcutaneous infusion, marking a significant advancement in the treatment of Parkinson’s disease. The TOLEDO trial demonstrated that apomorphine infusion effectively relieves persistent motor fluctuations in patients whose symptoms are not adequately controlled by oral medications.

The TOLEDO trial, a 12-week study involving 107 patients, showcased apomorphine infusion’s capacity to significantly reduce OFF time—periods when Parkinson’s medications are less effective. This finding is crucial as it addresses one of the most challenging aspects of managing advanced Parkinson’s disease. Apomorphine was also found to significantly increase ON time without troublesome dyskinesia, indicating periods where patients experienced improved motor control.

Professor Regina Katzenschlager, the lead investigator of the TOLEDO trial, emphasized the significance of these findings: “TOLEDO is an important addition to our knowledge, providing Level 1 evidence for the first time and confirming previous observational studies. Apomorphine infusion is effective and well tolerated by patients experiencing debilitating treatment response fluctuations despite optimized treatment.”

The trial results also highlighted that patients could reduce the dosage and frequency of their oral Parkinson’s disease medications after starting apomorphine infusion. This reduction in medication is a key factor in improving the quality of life for patients, as it decreases the likelihood of side effects associated with higher doses of oral medications.

Professor Andrew Lees, another pivotal investigator in the trial, shared his optimism about the future implications of these results: “We hope the positive results of the TOLEDO study will help ensure apomorphine infusion, which is delivered using a small, ambulatory mini-pump, is incorporated into national PD treatment guidelines.”

The success of the TOLEDO trial positions apomorphine infusion as a potentially transformative treatment for Parkinson’s disease, particularly for those who have not found relief with traditional therapies. Britannia Pharmaceuticals plans to continue exploring the benefits of apomorphine and work towards its inclusion in treatment guidelines across various health systems.

This development not only promises to enhance patient care but also contributes to the broader dialogue on how Parkinson’s disease is treated worldwide, offering hope to thousands of patients struggling with this degenerative condition.